Daxi Changru, courtesy name Furen, was from Daijun. His grandfather Daxi Si served as the Governor of Dingzhou in Northern Wei; his father Daxi Qing rose to high ranks as the General of the Cavalry and Yitong Sansi. Changru was very principled and courageous from a young age, inheriting the title of Duke of Le'an at just fifteen.
During the reign of Emperor Da Tong of Northern Wei, he served as a Carriage Attendant. Later, Emperor Taizu of Zhou recognized his talent, promoting him to the position of Grand General. He achieved numerous military successes and was granted the title of Fuguo General, with his rank steadily rising until he reached the positions of General-in-Chief, Military Governor, and Imperial Secretariat of the Mounted Escort. In the campaign to pacify the Shu region, he always led from the front and secured victories in both siege warfare and field battles. He was later appointed as the Grand General of Chariots and Cavalry, Yitong Sansi, and was granted an additional three hundred households.
During the Tianhe period, he was appointed as the Prefect of Weinan County and later promoted to the Grand General of the Cavalry and Kaifu Yitong Sansi. Following the pacification of the Qi state by Emperor Wu, he was promoted to Upper Kaifu, and his title was elevated to Duke of Cheng'an County, with his household increased to twelve hundred, and he was granted an additional title for his son as County Duke. In the first year of Xuanzheng, he was appointed as the Valiant Major of the Left Vanguard.
Once, he and Wuman Gui besieged Chen Dynasty general Wu Mingche at Lvliang. The Chen Dynasty dispatched the valiant general Liu Jing with seven thousand elite soldiers to their aid. Wuman Gui ordered Changru to intercept them. Changru devised a clever plan, collecting hundreds of cartwheels, each tied with a large stone and sunk into the clear water, with the cartwheels connected to block the enemy's ships. When Liu Jing's army arrived, their ships were blocked by the sunken cartwheels, rendering them unable to advance. Changru seized the opportunity, ordering his troops to launch attacks from both land and water, defeated Liu Jing's forces, and captured thousands of prisoners. Eventually, Wu Mingche was also captured. Due to his outstanding achievements in this battle, Changru was promoted to Grand General.
Soon, he was appointed as the commander of the army and went to patrol the northern border. He encountered the enemy and fought a fierce battle, in which Chang Ju emerged victorious once again. Later, Gaozu was appointed Prime Minister, and Wang Qian rebelled in Shu, with Prefect Yang Yong'an inciting six prefectures including Lizhou, Xingzhou, Wuzhou, Wenzhou, Shazhou, and Longzhou to support Wang Qian. The court ordered Chang Ju to suppress the rebellion, and he successfully defeated them. Wang Qian's two sons fled from the capital back to Shu to join him, but Chang Ju captured them and had them beheaded. After Gaozu ascended the throne, Chang Ju was promoted to Grand General and granted the title of Duke of Qichun, with his fief increased to 2,500 households.
In the year 582 AD, the Turkic Shabolu Khan led his brother Yehu and Khan Panna, with over 100,000 troops, raiding southward. The court appointed Chang Ju as the commander of the army, leading two thousand soldiers to confront them.
They clashed in Zhou territory, with our forces outnumbered, and the soldiers were frightened. However, Chang Ju remained calm and fought bravely, gaining confidence as the battle wore on. They engaged in continuous combat for three days, using up all five types of weapons, and the soldiers fought bare-handed with injuries so severe that bones were visible, killing tens of thousands of enemies. The Turks began to fear and eventually retreated. Chang Ju sustained five wounds, two of which were severe; nearly ninety percent of his soldiers were either killed or injured.
The Turkic forces, originally planning to plunder Qinzhou and Longzhou, were utterly demoralized by the fierce resistance put up by Chang Ju and his men. The next day, they burned the bodies of the dead on the battlefield and departed with mournful expressions.
The emperor issued a sacred decree, saying, "The Turks are extremely arrogant, always invading the border. Their army is as numerous as dogs and sheep, covering the mountains and plains. General, you were tasked with guarding the northern border and successfully stopped the enemy's attacks. Though your forces were few, you were able to defeat the enemy many times, fighting day and night, confronting enemies on all fronts, and emerging victorious in all fourteen battles. The foes were all killed, most of them will not return, and the enemy's souls scattered in the wake of your blade. Without your bravery, loyalty to the country, skillful command, and soldiers willing to sacrifice, how could you achieve such a remarkable victory against such odds? In recognition of your merits, you deserve a substantial reward, appointed as a pillar of the state, and the remaining honors will be bestowed upon your son. Those who died in battle will be posthumously elevated three ranks, and their descendants will be entitled to inherit these titles."
That year, he was appointed as the governor of Ningzhou, and soon was transferred to be the governor of Fuzhou. After his mother passed away, he resigned from his official position. He was extremely filial, did not drink any water for five days, and grieved excessively, nearly exhausting his life, which the emperor greatly appreciated. Later, he was reinstated as the governor of Xiazhou, commanding the forces of three provinces and six garrisons. The Xiongnu feared him and did not dare to invade the borders. He was later dismissed from his post due to illness. He was then appointed as the governor of Xiangzhou, and after serving for two years, he was transferred to be the governor of Lanzhou. Emperor Gaozu sent the governors of Liangzhou (Dugu Luo), Yuanzhou (Yuan Bao), and Lingzhou (He Ruoyi) to lead troops to guard against the Xiongnu, all obeying his command. He led the army across the Qilian Mountains, journeyed west to the Pulei Sea, and returned in triumph without encountering any enemies.
He was then transferred to be the governor of Jingzhou, responsible for military affairs across thirty-six provinces. Emperor Gaozu said to him, "Jiangling is an important strategic location, the southern gateway of the country. I entrust it to you with full confidence." Over a year later, he passed away while in office, posthumously honored with the title "Wei." His son, He Louhao, held the position of Grand Minister of the Household during the Daye era.
He Louhao Zigang, styled Wanshou, was a man of Northern Wei descent. After the Wei Dynasty migrated south, his family lived in the Guanzhong region for generations. His grandfather, He Lou Daocheng, served as the Privy Councilor and Tutor to the Crown Prince of the Wei Dynasty; his father, He Lou Jingxian, served as the General of the Right Guard. He Louhao Zigang was renowned for his bravery and martial skills from a young age. During the reign of Emperor Wu of Zhou, he was directly appointed as a Senior Water Officer from the ranks of commoners, recognized as a military talent. He was promoted several times, ultimately serving as a Junior Water Officer, and was granted the title of Viscount of Sian County for his hard work and courage. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed as the governor of Qinzhou, with his title raised to Count.
During the rebellion of Wei Jiong, Helou Zigang and Yuwen Sili followed Wei Xiaokuan to suppress the rebels. When surrounded by the rebels in Huaizhou, Helou Zigang and Yuwen Shu and others together defeated the enemy. The Emperor Gaozu was very happy and personally wrote a letter saying, "The traitor Wei Jiong dared to lead a mob to invade Huaizhou. You were tasked with swiftly suppressing the rebellion, and hearing this news fills me with immense pleasure that I can hardly express. Today is the day for a man to make his mark, so make sure to fulfill the expectations of the court!" From then on, he always took the lead in battle. After capturing Ye City, he pursued Wei Jiong together with Cui Hongdu, chasing him all the way to the tower. He was promoted to Senior Minister, granted the title of Duke of Wuchuan County with a land grant of three thousand households, and his son Helou Jiao was granted the title of Earl of Sian County.
In the first year of Kaihuang, Yang Su was promoted and became the Duke of Julu County. In the same year, the Tuyuhun tribe raided Liangzhou, and Yang Su followed General Yuan Xie to fight, where he achieved significant success, earning special praise from the Emperor. Feeling that the border situation was unstable, the Emperor sent Yang Su to guard Liangzhou.
The following year, the Turks launched another attack on Lanzhou, and Yang Su led troops to resist, fighting all the way to Keluogu Mountain where they encountered the enemy. The enemy was formidable, yet Yang Su cleverly utilized the terrain to set up camp by the river. After a few days without water, both men and horses were exhausted, and Yang Su seized the opportunity to decisively defeat them. The Emperor was overjoyed and appointed Yang Su as the Grand General, reciting, "Listen to my orders well! Only then can you stand out, with firm determination and courage, capable of being a great general with remarkable achievements. In recent years, the border has been restless, and you have fought on the border multiple times, expanding the territory and suppressing the chaos, with great effort. Therefore, I will reward you handsomely, promote you, and elevate your rank. Go! Cherish this honor and wealth, but remember to stay cautious!" After that, Yang Su became the Deputy Supervisor of the Camp of Xindu, and then the Minister of Works.
In the same year, the Turks launched another invasion at the border, and Yang Su followed General Dou Rongding to fight. Yang Su took a different approach and defeated the enemy, beheading over a thousand enemies, which greatly pleased the emperor, who sent envoys to congratulate and encourage him. Yang Su wanted to return to the capital to see the emperor, so the emperor let him hurry to the capital on a fast horse.
The Tuyuhun people came to attack the border again, causing significant losses in the west. The emperor sent Yang Su to retaliate. Yang Su swiftly made his way to the Hexi region, mobilized troops from five states, and slaughtered tens of thousands of Tuyuhun men and women, returning triumphantly within twenty days.
The emperor was increasingly frustrated by the ongoing raids in Longxi. Since the local populace had yet to establish villages, the emperor ordered Yang Su to command the people to build fortresses, cultivate fields, and store food for emergencies. Yang Su wrote a letter to the emperor saying, "These bad guys keep harassing us recently; completely eliminating them is not an overnight task. I hope you, Your Majesty, don't worry too much. I am currently on the ground and will respond to the situation as it develops. Besides, Longxi and the area to the west of the river have a sparse population, and the border is still unstable, so we cannot undertake large-scale farming initiatives. I have observed that those farming areas yield low returns and incur high costs, resulting in wasted manpower, and they are often attacked. I suggest canceling those farming areas far from the garrisons. The people in the Longyou area mainly rely on animal husbandry for a living. If we make them farm, it will be even more unstable. We just need to strengthen vigilance; how can we safely gather the people? I suggest strengthening defense on important roads, as long as the garrisons are interconnected, the beacon towers can support each other; even if the people live scattered, there is no need to worry." The emperor agreed with his opinion.
Soon after, the enemy attacked Minzhou and Taozhou again, and Yang Su led the troops to rush over, prompting the enemy to flee at the news of our approach.
Emperor Gaozu allowed his son, Li Zigang, to study border affairs from a young age. Later, he appointed him as the commander of Yuguan, commanding the armies of ten garrisons. More than a year later, he was promoted to the governor of Yunzhou, and the northern nomadic tribes feared him. Several years later, emissaries from the Tujue's Yuyulu faction came to surrender, bringing numerous sheep and horses as tribute. The court appointed Li Zigang as the commander of the expedition to welcome them in the northwest. Upon his return, Li Zigang was appointed as the governor of Yunzhou, and the court rewarded him with a hundred horses and a thousand sheep from the Tujue's tribute, writing to him:
"Since you have guarded the northern border, it has been peaceful. The gifts brought by the Tujue are hereby given to you."
Later, after his mother passed away, Li Zigang resigned from his official position. The court considered Yuguan to be a strategically important location and considered Li Zigang indispensable, so they soon had him return to continue his work. Fourteen years later, Li Zigang passed away at the age of sixty due to illness. Emperor Gaozu was very saddened and mourned for a long time, posthumously awarding him a thousand bolts of silk and a thousand hu of rice and wheat, and posthumously appointing him as the governor of Huai, Wei, and two other provinces, bestowing upon him the posthumous title of "Huai." His son Li Shanzhu inherited his title and later served as the Prefect of Qian'an.
Li Zigang's brother, Li Quan, also proved to be talented, rising to the rank of Silver Seal Grand Master, governor of Shanzhou, Chunzhou, and Shenzhou, Prefect of Beidi, and Duke of Dong'an.
Shi Wansui is from Du Ling, Jingzhao. His father, Shi Jing, once held the position of Governor of Cangzhou during the Zhou Dynasty. Shi Wansui was brave and skilled in battle from a young age, excelling in horseback riding and archery. He was agile and as fast as the wind. He enjoyed reading military texts and was also proficient in astronomy and geography. At the age of fifteen, during the battle between the Zhou and Qi dynasties at Mangshan, Shi Wansui followed his father to join the army. When the two armies faced each other, Shi Wansui quickly ordered those around him to pack up and prepare to retreat. Before long, the Zhou army suffered a major defeat, greatly surprising his father. During the reign of the Sui Emperor, Shi Wansui started from the lowest rank and eventually rose to the position of Senior Officer. In the war to pacify the Qi Dynasty, his father died in battle. Due to his loyalty, Shi Wansui was appointed as the General of the Household Affairs, inheriting the title of County Duke.
During the rebellion of Yu Jiong, Shi Wansui joined Liang Shiyan in the campaign. While stationed in Fengyi, they saw a flock of geese flying by. Shi Wansui said to Liang Shiyan, "Let me shoot down the third goose from the left in that group." The arrow he shot struck it down with a thud. All the soldiers held him in high regard. When fighting against Yu Jiong's army, he always led the charge. During the Battle of Ye City, when the imperial army began to pull back, Shi Wansui said to those around him, "Things are getting dire; I need to charge in and break their lines!" He then charged on horseback, killing dozens of enemies, inspiring his fellow soldiers to fight bravely, boosting the morale of the imperial army. After Yu Jiong was defeated, Shi Wansui was appointed as the Grand General for his military achievements.
Erzhu Ji conspired against the emperor and was killed, implicating the emperor who was then dismissed and sent to Dunhuang as a border guard. These were tough times!
The emperor was exiled to Dunhuang to serve as a soldier. His garrison commander, who was his superior, was quite a formidable character. He often rode deep into the territory of the Turks alone, raiding sheep and horses, and always emerged victorious. The Turks, no matter how many there were, didn't dare to face him directly. This garrison commander was incredibly full of himself, often scolding the emperor in a very unpleasant manner. The emperor felt uncomfortable, but couldn't retaliate, so he would say to himself that he was actually quite capable in battle.
When the garrison commander heard this, he laughed and said, "Alright, let me see if you're any good!" The emperor requested a bow and arrow and a horse, and went to the Turkic side to make a round, bringing back many cattle and sheep. This time, the garrison commander finally saw him in a new light, and from then on, he would always take the emperor with him on expeditions, going hundreds of miles into Turkic territory, scaring the pants off the Turks; it was really impressive!
Later, Dou Rongding led troops to fight the Turks, and the emperor ran to the gates of Dou Rongding's camp, requesting to personally go into battle. Dou Rongding had long heard of the emperor's reputation and was thrilled to see him. He sent someone to tell the Turks, "If our soldiers have made mistakes, must we kill them? Why not each send a warrior to duel instead?" The Turks agreed and sent a cavalryman to challenge.
Dou Rongding then sent the emperor to fight, and the emperor swiftly charged over, beheading the Turkic cavalryman with one blow, then returned victorious. The Turks were terrified and dared not fight anymore, quickly retreating. Because of this great achievement, the emperor was appointed as the Right Division Supervisor and became a chariot and cavalry general. Later, in the war to pacify the Chen dynasty, the emperor pulled off more impressive feats, resulting in more promotions, including the title of Kaifu.
Long live Shiwansui! He was quite a formidable figure! At that time, Jiangnan was in chaos, and Gao Zhihui led a rebellion. The court sent him to help Yang Su suppress the rebellion. The emperor personally led a force of two thousand soldiers, took an alternate route from Dongyang, crossed mountains and seas, and captured numerous strongholds. After fighting more than 700 battles and traveling over 1,000 miles, there was no word for a full ten days, and everyone thought he was dead.
Because of the difficult mountain roads and interrupted communication, Shiwansui had no choice but to write a letter, place it in a bamboo tube, and let it float in the water. Someone found it and delivered the letter to Yang Su. Upon hearing this, Yang Su was overjoyed and quickly reported it to the emperor. The emperor was amazed and rewarded him with 100,000 pieces of gold and promoted him to the position of Left Leading General.
Earlier, the barbarians in Nanning surrendered and were appointed as the governor of Kunzhou, but they rebelled again shortly after. The emperor sent Shiwansui as the commander-in-chief to lead the army to fight them. Shiwansui set out from Qinglongchuan, passed through Longdong, Xiaobolong, and Dabolong, all the way to the south. He defeated the bandits camped in key locations one after another.
After traveling hundreds of miles, he came across Zhuge Liang's monument of achievements, which read: "After ten thousand years, those who defeat me will surpass this place." Shiwansui ordered the monument to be toppled and continued on his way. He crossed the Xier River, entered the Qulanchuan, traveled over a thousand miles, defeated over thirty tribes, and captured over twenty thousand people. The barbarians, terrified, quickly sent envoys to surrender, even offering a pearl the size of a thumb. Shiwansui erected a monument there to commemorate the accomplishments of the Sui Dynasty.
Shiwansui sent a messenger to report his victory to the emperor and request an audience upon his return to the capital, which was granted. However, the surrendered barbarian leader was reluctant to go to the capital and secretly bribed Shiwansui with gold and silver. Shiwansui accepted the bribe and returned. The King of Shu, who was in Yizhou at the time, found out about this and sent people to demand the bribe. Upon hearing this, Shiwansui quickly tossed all the gold and silver he had received into the river, and nothing remained.
Because he achieved great success, Shi Wansui was appointed as a pillar of the nation. Prince Yang Guang of Jin respected him greatly, treating him like a friend, and the emperor recognized his talents and appointed him to oversee military affairs at the prince's residence. The following year, Cuan Wan rebelled again. Prince Yang Xiu of Shu accused Shi Wansui of taking bribes, turning a blind eye to bandits, causing border troubles, and lacking the integrity of a senior official. The emperor ordered a thorough investigation, which confirmed the accusations, resulting in a death sentence for Shi Wansui. The emperor reprimanded him, saying, "You took money and let the bandits go, wasting so many troops and resources! I couldn't sleep at night, lost my appetite, worried about the soldiers. Are you still a loyal servant of the state?" Shi Wansui defended himself, saying, "I left Cuan Wan to prevent chaos in the region and wanted him to stay put. When I returned to Lushui, the imperial decree arrived, so I didn't go to the capital. I really didn't take any bribes!" The emperor believed Shi Wansui was just making excuses and angrily declared, "I believed you to be a good person, enjoying a high rank and generous salary, but you turned out to be a traitor!" The emperor turned to the officials and said, "Behead him tomorrow!" Shi Wansui, frightened, quickly confessed and begged for mercy. Left Supervisor Gao Feng, Left General Yuan Min, and others pleaded on his behalf, arguing that "Shi Wansui is both wise and brave, always leading the troops into battle, skilled at rallying the troops, who would willingly lay down their lives for him. Even the famous generals of ancient times cannot compare to him!" The emperor's heart softened slightly, so he stripped Shi Wansui of his official position and allowed him to return home as a commoner. After more than a year, he was reinstated to his official position and title, appointed as the Inspector of Hezhou, and served as the Commander of Military Opera
During the later years of the Kaihuang period, the Turkic Khan launched an invasion at the border. The Emperor ordered Prince Jin, Yang Guang, and Yang Su to mobilize troops from Lingwu Road, while Prince Han, Yang Liang, and Shi Wansui mobilized troops from Mayi Road. Shi Wansui commanded his forces to pursue the Turkic army, chasing them for over a hundred miles before catching up, defeating the Turkic army, resulting in the deaths of thousands, and pursuing them hundreds of miles into the depths of the desert. Yang Su, jealous of Shi Wansui's achievements, falsely accused him, claiming that the Turkic forces had surrendered and had not come to invade, but only to graze on the border. The Emperor consequently downplayed Shi Wansui's military achievements. Shi Wansui repeatedly presented the situation in writing, but the Emperor remained oblivious to the truth. At this time, the Emperor had just returned to the capital from the Renshou Palace and was abolishing the crown prince, cracking down on the faction supporting the crown prince. The Emperor asked where Shi Wansui was, and seeing the Emperor's anger, Yang Su said, "Shi Wansui went to visit the crown prince." This only fueled the Emperor's anger further.
The emperor took it at face value and ordered the summoning of Shi Wansui. At that time, the soldiers led by Shi Wansui, with hundreds of soldiers crying out for justice in the court. Shi Wansui said to them, "Today I will reason with the emperor for you, and the matter will be resolved!" When Shi Wansui saw the emperor, he claimed that the soldiers had made contributions but were being oppressed by the court, in a tone that was both passionate and infuriating to the emperor. The emperor, enraged, ordered his guards to execute him. Afterwards, the emperor regretted his decision, but it was too late to change it, so he issued an edict denouncing Shi Wansui, declaring, "General, Grand Preceptor Shi Wansui, I promoted you and entrusted you with commanding the army on every occasion. Previously, there was a rebellion in Nanning, and I ordered you to lead the army to suppress it. The governor of Kunzhou, Cuan Wan, harbored ill intentions and brought suffering to the people. I had given you explicit orders to return the army to the capital, but you accepted substantial bribes, disobeyed my orders, and delayed your return, which caused Cuan Wan to rebel, requiring considerable effort to suppress it. Under the law, you deserve the death penalty, but given your past merits, I have chosen to spare your life, reinstating you shortly after. Recently, I entrusted you once more with leading the army against the minority groups at the border. The Turkic Khan attempted to resist with his army, but upon seeing your formidable forces, they fled without a fight, resulting in an easy victory. Such a victory is of great significance for the nation, and I intended to reward your contributions with additional honors. However, you and Zhang Dinghao falsified the battle report, claiming direct engagement with the enemy, failing to report truthfully, being inconsistent, and deceiving the state. A truly loyal and honest person, free of deceit, makes a good general. Deceiving others and seeking credit as you have, Shi Wansui, makes you a traitor; the laws of the court cannot be disregarded, and I cannot grant you forgiveness again." After Shi Wansui's death, people throughout the country, whether they knew him or not, felt a profound sense of injustice and regret for him.
There was once a general who was not the type to personally handle everything and micromanage. He had soldiers who could do as they pleased, without taking turns on night duty. Yet, strangely, the enemy did not dare to attack. On the battlefield, he could adapt to any situation and achieve unexpected victories—truly a capable general! Moreover, his son Huaiyi was also outstanding!
Liu Fang, from Chang'an, was resolute and courageous, with exceptional determination and insight. He started as a minor official in Northern Zhou and later rose in rank due to his military achievements. When Emperor Gaozu was the prime minister, Liu Fang followed Wei Xiaokuan to defeat Yu Jiong in Xiangzhou, which led to his appointment as Kaifu and the title of Marquis of Heyin County, with a fief of 800 households. After Emperor Gaozu became emperor, he received further promotions. In the third year of Kaihuang, he fought alongside Prince Wei Shuang in defeating the Turks at Baidao, rising to the rank of Grand General. Later, he successively served as governor of Ganzhou and Guazhou, but remained relatively unknown.
It wasn't until the Reign of Renshou that the local native Li Fuzi in Jiaozhou rebelled, occupying the old city of King Yue and sending his nephew Li Daquan to occupy Longbian City, while another general, Li Puding, occupied Wuyan City. At that time, Yang Su praised Liu Fang for his military talent, so the emperor appointed Liu Fang as the military governor of Jiaozhou Dao, with the deputy minister of revenue Jing Deliang as his chief of staff, commanding twenty-seven military camps. Liu Fang strictly enforced military discipline and ensured strict military discipline. Anyone who violated military orders was immediately executed. Despite this, he was kind and caring toward his soldiers, personally taking care of anyone who fell ill. His chief of staff Jing Deliang fell seriously ill in Yinzhou and was unable to walk and thus remained in the city to recuperate. When Liu Fang left, he was deeply saddened to see Jing Deliang in such poor health that he cried openly, which moved even the passersby. You see, he was both dignified and kind; no wonder everyone called him a capable general.
When they arrived at Longling, they encountered over two thousand enemies attacking the imperial army. Liu Fang dispatched battalion commanders such as Song Zuan, He Gui, and Yan Yuan to defeat them. Then, the army approached Li Fuzi, first sending people to appeal to reason and stir his emotions, telling him about the consequences of rebellion. Li Fuzi was afraid and surrendered, and was escorted to the capital. The more stubborn ones worried Liu Fang that they would cause trouble in the future, so he had them all killed.
It is said that the court sent General Wei Yunqi to fight in Linyi and appointed Right Chief Secretary Li Gang as his deputy, jointly overseeing military operations there. Wei Yunqi first sent the Qinzhou Prefect Ning Changzhen, the Huanzhou Prefect Li Yun, and General Qin Xiong with infantry and cavalry to depart from Yuechang, while he led Grand General Zhang Xin and Marshal Li Gang by boat from Bijing. Meanwhile, the Emperor Gaozu passed away, Yang Guang ascended to the throne, and renamed the era Daye. By the first month of the first year of Daye, the army finally reached Haikou.
King Fanzhi of Linyi sent troops to establish defenses at key positions. Wei Yunqi led the troops to attack and drove them away. When the army reached the Shali River, the enemy occupied the south bank and built a fence. Wei Yunqi deployed his forces and sounded the drums, causing the enemy to panic. After crossing the river and marching thirty miles, the enemy attacked again, riding elephants and surrounding them from all sides. Wei Yunqi ordered the use of crossbows to shoot the elephants, injuring them and causing them to trample their own troops in chaos. Seizing the opportunity, our army launched a fierce counterattack, forcing the enemy to retreat back to their fence. The enemy's defenses were eventually breached, resulting in countless enemies captured or killed, totaling over ten thousand.
Next, the army crossed the Qu Su region, walked six miles, and encountered the enemy again, capturing prisoners in every battle. They fought until they reached the Dàyuán River, where the enemy established barricades and were defeated by Wei Yunqi. Then, the army passed directly through Ma Yuan's bronze pillar, walked south for eight days, and finally arrived at the capital of Linyi. Linyi King Fan Zhi saw that the situation was lost, abandoned the city and fled to the sea. Wei Yunqi and his men found the golden statue enshrined in the temple of Linyi, destroyed the palace, and recorded their achievements on stone tablets before returning.
During this expedition, many soldiers suffered from swollen feet, with about one in fourteen dying. Wei Yunqi fell ill and died on the return journey. Emperor Yang Guang was deeply saddened and issued a decree saying, "Wei Yunqi diligently executed the court's strategy, respectfully carried out the mission of subjugation, bravely faced icy rapids and treated danger as if it were level ground. He aimed his sharp edge at the enemy's vital points, attacked unexpectedly, annihilated the enemy, destroyed their nests, prevented the soldiers from becoming overworked, and completely pacified the overseas rebellion. He served the country faithfully, with great merit, and should be posthumously granted the title of Grand Duke of Shuzhou and Duke of Lu." His son, Wei Tongren, inherited his father's title.
During the Kaihuang era, there were notable frontier generals including Feng Yu, Wang Ya, Li Chong, Yang Wutong, Chen Yonggui, and Fang Zhao. Feng Yu and Wang Ya's specific origins are not recorded in historical texts. Feng Yu was very strategic and proficient in martial arts. When Emperor Wen of Sui had just taken office as emperor, he sent Feng Yu as the commander of the army, along with Wang Yi, Li Wei, and others, to quell a barbarian rebellion, and he was later honored as a pillar of the state. In the early years of Kaihuang, he was appointed as the commander of the army stationed at Yifubo to defend against the Turks. However, when tens of thousands of Turkic cavalry suddenly attacked, Feng Yu resisted for several days but ultimately was outnumbered, eventually losing the battle and suffering casualties of several thousand men, although he also killed many Turkic soldiers. He later served on the frontier for several years, achieving significant victories in every engagement.
Feng Yu was brave and proficient in archery. Emperor Wen of Sui recognized his potential as a commander and often appointed him as the commander of the army to defend Jiangnan against the invasion of the Chen dynasty. He achieved remarkable military successes, instilling fear among the people of the Chen dynasty. In the wars against the Chen dynasty and the rebellion of Gao Zhihui, he made notable military achievements and eventually rose to the rank of pillar of the country and Duke of Baishui County. Li Chong was from Chengji in Longxi and was known for his generosity and strategic insight from a young age. During the Kaihuang period, he served as the commander of the army multiple times, fighting against the Turks and gaining military accolades. He was promoted to the rank of senior pillar of the country, Duke of Wuyang County, and was also appointed as the commander of Shuozhou, with a widespread reputation that struck fear into the hearts of the Turks. Later, he was falsely accused of treason and recalled to the capital, which infuriated Emperor Wen of Sui. Li Chong had always been steadfast, ultimately succumbing to grief and indignation.
Yang Wutong was from Hua Yin in Hongnong, known for his bold and resolute character, and was skilled in horseback riding and archery. He served as a military commander on several occasions, leading campaigns against the Yi people in the southwest and achieving notable military achievements. He was granted the title of Duke of Baishui County and appointed as the Grand General of the Left Guard. At that time, the Tangut and Qiang peoples frequently harassed the borders. Due to Yang Wutong's renowned reputation, the court appointed him in succession as the military commander of Minzhou and Lanzhou to quell their disturbances. Later, he and Zhou Fashang together suppressed a rebellion of the Lao tribe in Jiazhou. Zhou Fashang's forces faced initial setbacks in battle, so Yang Wutong led a few thousand men to cut off the enemy's retreat. Yang Wutong then ordered to halt the advance, secured the war chariots to the trees, and launched surprise attacks on the enemy multiple times, defeating them. Knowing that he was deep in enemy territory without reinforcements, the enemy mounted a full-scale assault. Yang Wutong fought his way for hundreds of miles, but was eventually surrounded on all sides. He tried to break through on horseback, but his horse stumbled, resulting in his capture, execution, and subsequent consumption by the enemy.
Chen Yonggui was a Hu person from Longyou, originally surnamed Bai, renowned for his bravery. Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty held him in high regard, appointing him as a military commander to guard the borders on multiple occasions. In every battle, he led from the front, charging solo into the enemy lines. He was appointed as the Duke of Beichen County and held positions as the military commander of Zhuguo, Lanzhou, and Lizhou. Fang Zhao was from the Dai tribe, originally surnamed Wuyinshi, with a strong military talent. He served as a military commander multiple times to combat the Turks, achieving military successes and attaining the titles of Duke of Zhuguo and military commander of Xuzhou. Historical records provide no detailed accounts of his deeds.
In historical texts, it is said that these generals, since their youth, devoted themselves to the military and were all valiant heroes. They have led armies and achieved great feats in defending the country. Changru once led only two thousand infantry to confront a hundred thousand enemy troops, ran out of arrows, yet still fought bravely, which was truly remarkable! General Zigang crossed the Qinghai to the west and reached the border to the north, striking fear into the hearts of the barbarians and bringing peace to the border, a commendable achievement. General Wansui was both wise and brave, skilled at rallying his troops, and everyone was willing to follow him into any battle without hesitation. He repelled the Xiongnu to the north, pacified the Yi and Lao tribes to the south, and wherever the army went, the enemies of the border trembled at the mere mention of his name. However, in the end, due to his blunt honesty during the distribution of rewards, he offended the powerful and was framed by traitors, dying unjustly, which is truly regrettable, as he embodied the chivalrous spirit of General Li Guang. General Liu Fang maintained strict discipline and clear rewards and punishments, successfully pacifying Lin Yi and stabilizing the South China Sea, earning the admiration of the border tribes. These generals all had ambitions that set them apart, holding important positions and heavy responsibilities. Although their achievements may not compare to the fame of General Mayuan in suppressing rebellions in the south, or the great feats of General Zhao Chongguo in the Western Qiang region, in terms of their merits and military accomplishments, they were all exceptional choices at their time.
